This Week’s Top Resources for Spreading Peace

Monday we celebrated Veteran’s Day in the US while other countries celebrated Armistice Day. And it was the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

As we pray and give thanks for those who serve … now and in the past … who sacrifice so much to protect us and keep us safe, it seems appropriate to focus on peace.There is conflict everywhere. Not only between nations, and between political parties within nations. But groups and individuals are always fighting or arguing with one another.

And unfortunately, we even see it among our friends and family at times.

Though we pray for world peace, it can be discouraging to not have an impact on warring nations.

But we can have an impact on peace. It starts within us … within our families, our friend groups, and the people we come in contact with every day.

This week’s resources are aimed at helping us spread more peace in our world as Jesus Christ taught us to do by His example. And may peace be with you and yours.

Keep Believing-

Katy Barrilleaux
Editor, Genuflect

Resources

The bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out in unison with thousands of other church bells around the world Sunday as Pope Francis commemorated the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War I. “While we pray for all the victims of that terrible tragedy, let us say forcefully: invest in peace, not on war!” Pope Francis said at the end of his Angelus address Nov. 11.

We can’t have global peace until we learn to cultivate inner peace. Peace extends from wherever it’s present, so when we know peace in our hearts we will naturally extend that peace into the world around us, both on purpose and without even trying. Here are four small ways to spread peace every single day.

World peace is built one human being at a time. But what can we, as individuals, possibly do to make a chink in the armor of a world at war? How can we be part of creating a civilization of Oneness with Diversity on our planet? Here are three ways.

Jesus makes it clear that we must model our forgiveness of others on God’s forgiveness of our sins. Here are a few lines from Scripture in which Jesus talks about the grace of forgiveness and why it’s essential.

Whether it’s a spouse who was unfaithful, a parent who let you down as a child, or a friend who shared something told in confidence, we all must face the question of whether and how to forgive. By forgiving, you let go of your grievances and judgments and allow yourself to heal. While this may sound good in theory, in practice forgiveness can sometimes feel impossible. Try following these four steps to forgive even when it feels impossible.

For those of us who are both extremely introverted and socially awkward, this sort of rampant interaction with other human beings isn’t the sort of thing you just rush into. It requires practice, preparation, and analysis on a scale not entirely dissimilar to that of a moon landing. For my fellow people who share the psychological profile of SHBDH (Should Have Been a Desert Hermit), I offer this handy guide to the strange extrovert ritual known as the sign of peace.

The words “Go in peace” are not just nice words to nod our heads to because we agree with them in theory. To literally “go in peace” is an incredible challenge. As we reflect on what these words mean, we begin to realize just how transforming the Mass is supposed to be.

Peace always seems to evade us, always out of reach. Just when one part of the world starts to calm down, war and strife rise in other parts of the world. It is a sad fact of reality, one that can cause anxiety for many of us. Here is a short but powerful prayer from St. John XXIII that calls upon God to intervene and establish a lasting reign of peace.

Teaching your child to forgive is an essential life tool that will make navigating childhood and adolescence easier. Holding on to anger and resentment is a recipe for anxiety and depression for children and adults. The earlier forgiveness is taught, the earlier you can prevent children from taking on the victim role. Here are 7 ideas on teaching children forgiveness.

Evangelize

The Week’s Top Resources for Living Your Catholic Faith in aPost-Christian World

Genuflect is a free weekly email newsletter with a mission of strengthening your relationship with God. You’ll get the week’s top, hand-picked resources for learning, living, and sharing your Catholic Faith … without the preaching and lecturing.